The School Board over the past two years has cut employee benefits and cut the transportation budget, both items that the Board of Supervisors have mentioned in the past as ripe for cuts. During last year's budget talks, Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York said, “Change is good, and my words today to the School Board: Change needs to happen at the top of the administration. Dr. Hatrick has served this county well for many years, but we are now in the 21st century. Many things have to change. And unfortunately sometimes in order for change to happen change has to first happen at the top.” Two months later, Dr. Hatrick announced his retirement.

The Board of Supervisors have gotten what they asked for from the School Board. The advertised tax rate of $1.215 would cover the proposed School Board budget, but the Board of Supervisors has asked for an equalized rate of $1.155, cutting an estimated $40 million from that budget. The BoS has set aside 2 cents of that revenue for transportation, even though our state sales tax was increased this year in order to pay for transportation. Tell the Board of Supervisors to fully fund the School Board budget. It's time.